19/12/2007 00:00:00
Cannabis smoke more toxic than puffing tobacco
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Cannabis smokers are exposed to more toxic chemicals in each puff than
those who smoke only tobacco, scientists have found. Earlier research
shows cannabis smokers are more prone to lung damage than cigarette smokers.
In tests, directly inhaled cannabis smoke contained 20 times more
ammonia than cigarette smoke, five times more hydrogen cyanide and five
times the concentration of nitrogen oxides, which affect circulation and
the immune system.
Researchers led by David Moir at Health Canada investigated after noting
there are 4,000 chemicals and toxins listed for tobacco smoke but no
such list for cannabis.
They set up machines that "smoke" the plants and collect the fumes.
The scientists first analysed smoke that would be inhaled directly, but
later examined "sidestream smoke", which accounts for 85% of the fumes
you inhale if you sit next to a smoker. This smoke contained higher
levels of almost every toxin measured, except for compounds known as
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which were more concentrated in
directly inhaled cigarette smoke.
The chemicals combine to cause harmful health effects. Polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons have been linked to reproductive disorders and
cancer, while, at high levels, ammonia can cause asthma.
"Cannabis contains similar carcinogens to tobacco, in particular
volatile organic compounds," Stephen Spiro of the British Lung
Foundation told New Scientist magazine.
"That these exist in similar or even higher proportions to tobacco smoke
is a great worry."
In July scientists in New Zealand reported that smoking a single
cannabis joint could cause as much lung damage as five chain-smoked
cigarettes. Much of the damage is believed to be caused by smokers
inhaling cannabis more deeply than tobacco and holding it in up to four
times as long.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/dec/19/drugsandalcohol.drugs
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Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13081
Author:
The Guardian via UKCIA
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